First Lady Announces Expanded Support for Elderly Citizens
Senator Oluremi Tinubu, the First Lady of Nigeria, has made a significant announcement regarding the inclusion of military veterans in this year's nationwide Elderly Support Scheme. The initiative falls under the Renewed Hope Initiative (RHI) and is scheduled for implementation in December.
The revelation came during her meeting with wives of newly appointed service chiefs at the State House in Abuja. Senator Tinubu used the occasion to urge the officers' wives to strengthen their support for their spouses as Nigeria intensifies its battle against insecurity.
Security Concerns and National Sacrifices
During the meeting, Senator Tinubu expressed deep concern about the recent abduction of 25 students from Government Girls Comprehensive Secondary School in Maga, Kebbi State. "It is very unfortunate and sad," she stated, before leading a minute of silence for the departed Vice Principal of the school.
The First Lady commended the Armed Forces and security agencies for their "sustained sacrifices and courage" in protecting the nation. She emphasized the demanding responsibilities now placed on the new service chiefs and their families, noting that "Your husbands signed up to protect the nation and its people, even at the expense of their own lives."
She offered prayers for God's protection over the service chiefs and for success in their new assignments, while urging the officers' wives to extend care to elderly members within military communities and beyond.
Road Safety Initiatives and Honors
In a separate engagement, Senator Tinubu received the management of the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), where she was decorated as the Grand Matron of the Road Safety Special Marshals by Corps Marshal Shehu Mohammed.
While appreciating the honor, she called for stronger inter-agency collaboration and the use of modern technology to reduce road accidents across the country. The First Lady specifically urged stricter enforcement of speed limits and the deployment of additional FRSC personnel during the upcoming yuletide season.
"We must embrace technology and strengthen coordination to save more lives on our roads," she emphasized during the ceremony.
Parliamentary Action on Abandoned Properties
Meanwhile, Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Tajudeen Abbas, has inaugurated an ad-hoc committee to investigate the widespread abandonment of Federal Government properties nationwide. The Speaker declared that the era of allowing national assets to decay is over.
The committee, headed by Hon. Daniel Amos, has been mandated to identify all federal landed assets lying idle, establish the reasons for their abandonment, and recommend clear actions for recovery, rehabilitation, or disposal.
Speaking at the inauguration in Abuja, Abbas described abandoned public facilities as "glaring symbols of waste and weak governance" and vowed that the 10th House would not look away from the issue.
"These facilities represent public wealth. They must not rot away," Abbas asserted. "Every federal asset must be identified, protected and put to productive use. Nigerians expect nothing less."
